Spiked Eggnog with cinnamon stick as an example of Lower Sugar Holiday Cocktail

Cheers! Delicious Low Sugar Holiday Cocktails That Won't Derail Your Wellness Goals

The holiday season is synonymous with celebration, and what's a celebration without a festive drink? But if you're watching your sugar intake, traditional holiday cocktails can be a minefield of empty calories and hidden sugar. The good news? You can absolutely enjoy delicious, low sugar cocktails that are both sugar-friendly and totally jolly!

Why Go Low Sugar This Holiday Season?

Let's face it - traditional holiday cocktails are sugar bombs! A typical eggnog can pack a whopping 20 grams of sugar, while festive martinis often contain even more. 

A standard holiday cocktail is like eating a slice of cake in liquid form, containing anywhere from 15-30 grams of sugar!

What to be aware of? Most classic cocktails are loaded with sugar from multiple sources:

  • Liqueurs
  • Simple syrup
  • Flavored mixers
  • Fruit juices
  • Sweet liquors

Benefits of Low Sugar Cocktails

By choosing low sugar cocktails, you're not just making a better choice - you're creating drinks that taste amazing and help you feel great without missing out on the holiday cheer. Benefits include:

  • Fewer calories
  • Reduced sugar intake
  • Better blood sugar control
  • Hangover prevention
  • More room for holiday treats!

Key Ingredients for Sugar-Free Mixology

To create delicious low sugar cocktails, consider these game-changing tips.

Plant-based and Alternative Sweeteners great for cocktails

  • Stevia
  • Monk fruit extract
  • Erythritol
  • Allulose

No-Calorie Mixer Options

  • Sparkling water
  • Diet tonic
  • Unsweetened tea
  • Zero-calorie flavored seltzers
  • Stevia simple syrup (see below)

Spirits with Naturally Lower Sugar Content

  • Vodka
  • Gin
  • Tequila
  • Certain whiskeys

Cocktail Sweetener Conversion Tips: Swap Smartly!

Reducing sugar in your holiday cocktails may be  easier than you think! Instead of traditional simple syrup, try Pyure liquid stevia drops or simple syrup with stevia for a low-calorie sweetness. Swap out sugar-laden liqueurs for their lighter, sugar-free counterparts, and replace fruit juice with fresh muddled fruit for natural, vibrant flavor. These simple swaps can transform your cocktail from a sugar bomb to a lower sugar, delicious drink that won't compromise on taste. 


Top Low Sugar Holiday Cocktail Recipes

Maple Old Fashioned (No Sugar Added)

Ingredients:

Skinny Caramel Martini

Ingredients:


Spiked Eggnog (Lower Sugar Version)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup bourbon
  • 2 drops Pyure vanilla liquid stevia
  • 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt

Caramel White Russian (with Pyure Caramel-flavored Syrup)

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz vodka
  • 1 oz Pyure caramel-flavored syrup
  • 1 oz whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/2 oz heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ice cubes
  • optional caramel drizzle for garnish
  • optional cinnamon stick for garnish

Spiced Rum Apple Cider Mule

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz spiced rum
  • Sugar-free apple cider
  • Ginger beer (low or no sugar added)
  • Cinnamon stick garnish

Irish "Monk" Coffee

Ingredients:


Kahlua Hot Chocolate (with Pyure Sugar-Free Chocolate Drink Mix)

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 2 tablespoons Pyure sugar free chocolate drink mix
  • 1 oz vodka
  • 1 oz Kahlua
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Whipped cream (optional)
  • Cocoa powder for dusting
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

“Not So” Moscow Mule (with Gin)

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1/2 oz fresh lime juice
  • 3 oz sugar-free ginger beer
  • 2-3 ice cubes
  • Lime wedge for garnish
  • Mint sprig for garnish
  • Pinch of ground ginger (optional)
  • Cucumber slice for garnish (optional)

Brandy Alexander

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz brandy
  • 1 oz whole milk (or unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1/2 oz sugar-free chocolate liqueur
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 drop of Pyure Liquid Stevia
  • Pinch of ground nutmeg
  • Ice cubes
  • Cocoa powder for dusting
  • Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)

Snowball Cocktail

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 oz vodka
  • 1 oz lime juice
  • 0.5 oz stevia simple syrup (see below)
  • 2 oz unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 oz cream of coconut (sugar-free version)
  • Ice cubes
  • Shredded coconut for rim
  • Lime wedge for garnish
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • Vanilla extract (optional)

Pro Tip: To make stevia simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup warm water with 13 Pyure stevia packets, shake or blend until completely dissolved, and store refrigerated, using within a day of making.

Final Thoughts

Creating low sugar cocktails doesn't mean sacrificing flavor - it means being smarter about your ingredients and more intentional with your mixology! Here’s a Quick Recap on making lower sugar cocktails for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other festive fall and winter holidays:

  • Choose plant-based alternative sweeteners
  • Measure ingredients carefully
  • Experiment with flavor combinations
  • Focus on hiqh-quality spirits
  • Eat, Drink, and Be Merry!

 

Whether you're hosting a holiday party or enjoying a quiet evening at home, these low sugar cocktails prove you can absolutely have your drink and enjoy it too. Cheers to a healthy and happy holiday season! 

See all articles in Recipes - Sugar free and low sugar recipes from Pyure